Related News/Archive

"We're so similar we're afraid we'll be saying the same thing," Kathryn said.

No doubt.

There's some good history for Wesley Chapel High's valedictorian and salutatorian. The two have known each other since fourth grade, when they were first brought together for a play date because their older brothers were hanging out. Both figure they've been best friends since sixth grade at Weightman Middle School.

Now, as soon-to-be graduates, they're the kind pals who finish each other's sentences and spend days on end with each other. There's that shared goofy sense of humor that often has others just shaking their heads and calling them "Lucy and Ethel."

There's also a left brain/right brain kind of opposites-attract thing going on. Natalie's into math and science. For Kathryn, it's writing and literature.

"We know each others idiosyncrasies — she knows all my weird habits," Kathryn said. "I practically live at her house. The dog doesn't even bark at me when I come over. It's been really great because we don't have a competitive friendship. We're just very supportive of each other."

In fact, when they found out each was in the running for class valedictorian, Natalie said, "We were like, 'Come on, I know you can do this — come on, come on!' "

Come August, the two will attend the University of Florida as freshmen. "We're planning on rooming together," Natalie said. "We'll definitely be together. We don't know if we're going to get our place of choice, but we'll definitely be together."

"Basically that is all that matters," Kathryn said. "I would rather live with her in an alley than without her in the Hume honors dorm with all the honors kids."

Wesley Chapel High School valedictorian: Natalie Wells

GPA: 4.45

Future school: University of Florida

Ideal career: Host of ESPN's Pardon the Interruption.

Most inspirational person/people: My family, because they never cease to amaze me.